Legal provisions of COM(2007)660 - Principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Serbia including Kosovo as defined by UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 - Main contents
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| dossier | COM(2007)660 - Principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Serbia including Kosovo as defined by UN ... |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2007)660  |
| date | February 18, 2008 |
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52007PC0660
Proposal for a Council Decision on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Serbia including Kosovo as defined by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 and repealing Decision 2006/56/EC /* COM/2007/0660 final */
[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |
Brussels, 6.11.2007
COM(2007) 660 final
Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Serbia including Kosovo as defined by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 and repealing Decision 2006/56/EC
(presented by the Commission)
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
The Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June 2003 endorsed the 'Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans', which introduced the partnerships as a means of realising the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries.
On 30 January 2006 the Council adopted the revised European Partnership for Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo under UNSCR 1244, based on the Commission's proposal presented on 9 November 2005. The partnerships contain short–term and medium–term priorities. The countries are expected to fulfil the short–term priorities in one to two years.
Therefore the Commission considers it appropriate to present a proposal for an updated partnership for Serbia including Kosovo under UNSCR 1244. Following its independence in June 2006, a new European Partnership for Montenegro was drafted in 2006 and adopted by the Council in January 2007.
This renewed partnership for Serbia including Kosovo under UNSCR1244 is based on the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 of 22 March 2004 and takes into account the new developments as described in the 2007 Progress Reports. It lists short- and medium-term priorities for preparations for further integration with the European Union.
In order to respond to the European Partnership, the competent authorities in Serbia as well as Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 should develop a plan with a timetable and specified measures the respective authorities intend to take to this end. The Commission will monitor progress in implementing the priorities regularly.
The European Partnership priorities form the basis for programming the financial assistance of the Community, which will continue to be provided under relevant financial instruments, in particular Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 of 17 July 2006 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).
The proposed Council Decision has no financial implications. In view of the above, the Commission invites the Council to adopt the attached proposal for a Council Decision.
Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Serbia including Kosovo as defined by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 and repealing Decision 2006/56/EC
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 of 22 March 2004 on the establishment of partnerships in the framework of the stabilisation and association process, as amended, and in particular Article 2 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June 2003 endorsed the introduction of the European Partnerships as a means to materialise the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries.
(2) Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 provides that the Council is to decide on the principles, priorities and conditions to be contained in the partnerships, as well as any subsequent adjustments. It states also that the follow-up to the European Partnerships will be ensured through the mechanisms established under the stabilisation and association process, notably by the annual progress reports.
(3) On 30 January 2006 the Council adopted the second European Partnership with Serbia including Kosovo under UNSCR 1244.
(4) The Commission’s Paper on enlargement strategy and main challenges 2006–2007 indicated that the partnerships would be updated at the end of 2007.
(5) On 12 June 2006 the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 establishing an Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), which renews the framework for financial assistance to pre-accession countries.
(6) It is therefore appropriate to adopt a revised European Partnership which updates the current partnership in order to identify renewed priorities for further work, on the basis of the findings of the 2007 Progress Reports on the preparations by Serbia as well as Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 for further integration with the European Union.
(7) In order to prepare for further integration with the European Union, the competent authorities in Serbia as well as Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 should develop a plan with a timetable and specific measures to address the priorities of this European Partnership.
(8) Decision 2006/56/EC should therefore be repealed,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: